Does anyone know a prevention for Cold Urticaria?

I'm 16 now. I've had it since I was like 6 or so...my mom never knew what it was so she'd make me stop eating a bunch of food thinking that I was allergic. Two years ago though my Doctor diagnosed me with Cold Urticaria. I get a nice rash everywhere, get tired, and itch. I've even noticed my temperature down to 94.2 before, and that wasn't even while I was outside during winter or anything. Also, when I go from cold to warm I occassionally get a rash and my fingers always swell up a bunch. Anyone have any advice? My doctor gave me Claritin, but it didn't work at all. I think I might have the hereditary form = /...Anyways...any advice?

I don't know that there is a cure for any type of urticaria, but there is relief. When the hives break out, take a warm bath in oatmeal to relieve the itching. I always carry a tube of oatmeal moisturizer with me when I break out on the go. It really helps and soothes the skin, too. You can also use witch hazel, but in your case I would buy one of those candle warmers and keep the witch hazel warmed up on it in a glass container. It too helps relieve the itch. You really have to keep trying different anti-histamines in different combinations until you find what works for you. I am on a carefully choreographed regimine in a cocktail of different anti-histamines to manage it. I still have break throughs but most of the time, it is under control. There is a lot of information on the website www.chronicurticaria.com and urticaria@yahoogroups.com. Claritin, Singulair, Zytec all didn't work for me, but Allegra, Rantidine and plaquenil do. You should let your doctor know that the Claritin isn't working because there are a lot of other avenues to take in controlling urticaria.

I have had cold urticaria for about 25 years.(since I was 21) Mine has gotten a little less acute over the years but my brain has learned to ignore it. But I also now my limits. Getting out of a cold pool on a cool day is way beyond my limit. One time at the shore I swelled up really bad and my heart rate shot to about 200. I was in histimine shock . This dangerous and can kill you. It took about 2 or 3 days for me to feel normal again. Get an eppi pen if you don't have one-just in case. Benadryll does work but I think the benadryll is worse than having the hives. If I do take the benadryll I'll take the smallest child size dose. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes with no pressure points. Shoes with large soles keep you feet warmer than those thin Italian shoes. Interesting too that my body temp is also low 97.8fF and My liver enzymes are borderline high.
The liver is the thermostat for your body. So ask your doc for a liver enzyme test. Also if you have taken or still take tylonal- stop now. It has been proven that tylonal is bad for your liver.

HISTARIX